The Holland area celebrates July Fourth with parades, music and lots of fireworks on Friday.

In Graafschap, the community is using its annual Graafschap Summer Celebration on Friday, July 4, to raise money for Tim Vander Zwaag who was injured last year in a farm accident.

“He’s a farmer and many Graafschap people are farmers,” said Marilyn Hoek, an organizer of the seventh annual event. “We sympathize and empathize with them.”

Vander Zwaag was severely injured Dec. 7 when the spinning power take-off (PTO) shaft of the tractor caught his Carhartts and pulled him into the space where the PTO connects to the manure spreader. The spinning PTO beat him against the spreader, pulled off all his clothes and tossed him into the snow.

After managing to get back on the tractor, Vander Zwaag drove to a nearby road for help.

The incident left him with four fractured ribs, damaged vertebrae, a broken leg, displaced hip, crushed ankle and a lacerated spleen, scalp and hand. He continues therapy.

The Graafschap Summer Celebration is 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the small Allegan County town at 60th Street and 146th Avenue. Many events center around the Graafschap Church, 5973 Church St.

The day begins with the Graafschap Fire Department Pancake Breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. at the fire barn, 4534 60th St.

There will be animals, pony cart rides, games, a garden tractor pull and barrel train rides. The Holland Department of Public Safety will have its crash simulator available and the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office will offer child fingerprinting. There is a barbecue lunch and car show as well.

This year’s celebration will also include an appearance by a GM Futurliner, a specialty bus restored to its 1950s-era beauty.

The 20th Century At War Museum features a Rosie the Riveter answering questions in traveling interactive museum about recent wars.

Here are some other area events set for Friday, July 4:

Holland

Holland marks Independence Day with a daylong celebration at Kollen Park and fireworks display over Lake Macatawa.

Celebration Freedom starts at 2 p.m. along the waterfront with events including a Kid’s Area with inflatables ($5 hand stamp for all-day access) sponsored by Quality Car Wash and Imagination Station and a pie-eating contest at 3 p.m. sponsored by Russ’ Restaurant.

Music throughout the day will be performed by the United States 338th Army Band, the United States Army Country Band, the United States Army Rock Band, the United States Army Jazz Combo and Curt Dykema and the Niche.

The fireworks start at dusk, about 10:30 p.m.

The event is organized by JQ99.3, The Pledge 95.5 FM/1260 AM with sponsors Crown Motors and Metal Flow.

Park Township

Page 2 of 2 - The Van Andel fireworks are at dusk over Lake Michigan. They can be viewed from Holland State Park.

Saugatuck and Douglas

Celebrations begin with a parade at 2 p.m. through downtown. Line-up is on Elizabeth Street by the Saugatuck High School. From 5-6:30 p.m. the Fourth of July Community Barbecue at Beery Field will offer chicken, cole slaw, potato salad and cookies. The event is $12 and is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Saugatuck-Douglas. The beverage tent is open 5-9 p.m.

Fireworks go off over Kalamazoo Lake about 10 p.m. and are visible from both Saugatuck and Douglas.

Grand Haven

Grand Haven celebrates the holiday with fireworks at dusk at Waterfront Stadium in downtown after the free showing of the Grand Haven Musical Fountain.

South Haven

South Haven marks the holiday with a parade at 11 a.m. through downtown. The event includes marching bands, pageant winners, floats, fire trucks and candy.